PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Xeon Gold 6148 vs Xeon w3-2525 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Xeon Gold 6148 vs Xeon w3-2525: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon Gold 6148

2017

Why buy it

✅+22.2% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 23 MB).
✅Draws 150W instead of 175W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w3-2525 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,445 vs 15,000).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.4 vs 47.0 PassMark/$ ($3,072 MSRP vs $609 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Xeon w3-2525 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w3-2525

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,463 less on MSRP ($609 MSRP vs $3,072 MSRP).
✅Delivers 397.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 47.0 vs 9.4 PassMark/$ ($609 MSRP vs $3,072 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (23 MB vs 28 MB).
❌16.7% higher power demand at 175W vs 150W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w3-2525 better than Xeon Gold 6148?

Yes. Xeon w3-2525 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 58.8% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon w3-2525 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon w3-2525 is the stronger fit. You are getting 58.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon w3-2525 is the better buy right now. Xeon w3-2525 comes in $2,463 cheaper on MSRP at $609 MSRP versus $3,072 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 397.8% better value on MSRP (47.0 vs 9.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon w3-2525 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 20/40. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 6148 vs Xeon w3-2525 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Xeon Gold 6148

The Xeon Gold 6148 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 29,021 points. Launch price was $3,072.

Xeon w3-2525

The Xeon w3-2525 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 22.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 175 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 28,641 points. Launch price was $609.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6148 packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon w3-2525 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon Gold 6148 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6148 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon w3-2525 — a 19.5% clock advantage for the Xeon w3-2525 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6148 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon w3-2525 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6148 scores 29,021 against the Xeon w3-2525's 28,641 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6148. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,254 vs 2,000, a 45.9% lead for the Xeon w3-2525 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,445 vs 15,000 (45.4% advantage for the Xeon w3-2525). L3 cache: 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6148 vs 22.5 MB on the Xeon w3-2525.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6148	Xeon w3-2525
Cores / Threads	20 / 40+150%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.5 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+46%
L3 Cache	27.5 MB+22%	22.5 MB
L2 Cache	20 MB+900%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	29,021+1%	28,641
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,254	2,000+59%
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,445	15,000+59%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6148 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon w3-2525 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Gold 6148 versus DDR5-4400 on the Xeon w3-2525 — the Xeon w3-2525 supports 65% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w3-2525 supports up to 2 TB of RAM compared to 768 GB — 166.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6148) vs 4 (Xeon w3-2525). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6148) vs 64 (Xeon w3-2525) — the Xeon w3-2525 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C620 (Xeon Gold 6148) and W790 (Xeon w3-2525).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6148	Xeon w3-2525
Socket	LGA3647	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4400+65%
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	2 TB+167%
RAM Channels	6+50%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	64+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6148) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon w3-2525). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6148 targets Legacy Enterprise Workloads, Xeon w3-2525 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6148 rivals EPYC 7401; Xeon w3-2525 rivals Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6148	Xeon w3-2525
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Legacy Enterprise Workloads	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6148 was priced at $3072, while the Xeon w3-2525 came in at $609. On launch pricing ($3072 vs $609), Xeon w3-2525 was $2463 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6148 delivers 9.4 pts/$ vs 47.0 pts/$ for the Xeon w3-2525 — making the Xeon w3-2525 the 133.1% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6148	Xeon w3-2525
MSRP	$3072	$609-80%
Performance per Dollar	9.4	47.0+400%
Release Date	2017	2024

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